Agriculture is one of the most significant contributors to water pollution in the UK. Pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, and veterinary chemicals all pose serious risks to watercourses, groundwater, and soil if stored or handled incorrectly. Farms have specific legal obligations under both COSHH and Environment Agency guidance — and the consequences of non-compliance can be severe, including loss of farm subsidies, prosecution, and civil liability for environmental damage.
Key Legislation Affecting Agricultural Chemical Storage
- COSHH Regulations 2002 — Requires farm operators to carry out a risk assessment for every hazardous substance used or stored on the farm, including pesticides, dips, disinfectants, and fertilisers. Storage must be appropriate to the hazard.
- Water Resources Act 1991 — Makes it an offence to cause or knowingly permit polluting matter to enter controlled waters. Leakage from chemical stores is a common cause of farm pollution prosecutions.
- The Groundwater (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 — Prohibits the direct or indirect discharge of listed hazardous substances to groundwater.
- Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and Plant Protection Products Regulations 2011 — Govern the storage and use of approved pesticides. Only products on the UK Pesticide Register may be used, and they must be stored in accordance with label requirements.
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — Requires safe systems of work for all employees handling or working near stored chemicals.
Environment Agency Standards for Agricultural Chemical Stores
The EA's Pollution Prevention Guidance (PPG) and the Code of Good Agricultural Practice (COGAP) set out what is expected of farm chemical storage facilities:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dedicated store | Chemicals must be stored in a dedicated, locked building — not in general farm sheds alongside feed, fertiliser, or equipment |
| Bunded containment | The store floor must be impermeable and bunded to contain at least 110% of the largest container, or 25% of total stored volume (whichever is greater) |
| Separation from water | Stores must be sited at least 10m from watercourses, springs, and boreholes where possible |
| Ventilation | Adequate ventilation to prevent build-up of toxic vapours |
| Fire resistance | Store must be constructed of fire-resistant materials; flammable chemicals stored separately from oxidisers |
| Signage | Clearly labelled with COSHH hazard symbols and emergency contact information |
Pesticide Storage: Additional Requirements
Pesticides are subject to particularly strict storage rules. Under the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products, pesticide stores must:
- Be lockable, with access restricted to trained, certificated operators (PA1 and relevant module certificates)
- Have a current, accurate stock inventory
- Not contain pesticides that are no longer approved — out-of-date stock must be disposed of through an authorised waste contractor
- Include an emergency spill response kit capable of dealing with the types and volumes stored
Spill Response on Farms
Farm chemical spills require a rapid, knowledgeable response. The wrong absorbent used on the wrong chemical can make matters worse. Key principles:
- Never wash spills into drains or watercourses — this is a criminal offence
- Use dry absorbents (sand, specialist chemical absorbent granules) rather than water to clean up chemical spills
- Contain the spill using bunding, drain covers, or portable spill barriers before absorbing
- Dispose of contaminated absorbents as hazardous waste via a licensed contractor
- Report any spill that reaches or threatens a watercourse to the Environment Agency: 0800 80 70 60
Our chemical spill kits are designed for agricultural use, with absorbents suitable for pesticides, herbicides, and other agrochemicals. For larger stores, our spill pallets and IBC bunds provide robust secondary containment that meets EA requirements.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Farm pollution prosecutions by the Environment Agency are not rare. Penalties include unlimited fines, criminal records, and — critically for farming businesses — potential loss of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and future agricultural payments under cross-compliance obligations. The reputational damage from a high-profile pollution incident can be long-lasting.
Investing in compliant chemical storage and spill response equipment is not just a legal obligation — it is protection for your business, your land, and the environment you depend on.
Need expert advice? Call 01744 520 110